Environmental & social sustainability in a brave new internet world

Should the tampon tax be abolished?

Apologies for an extended period of radio silence. I’ve been writing a novel and short stories that use storytelling to educate readers about environmental and social issues, such as homelessness and menstruation. (Does every blogger aspire to being a published author?)

Recently I wrote a short story about the tampon tax for a ‘twisted tax tale’ competition. The only condition was that one of the main characters had to be an accountant.

If you like my story, please vote for it before 31 July 2016 using the Facebook link below my story on the STP site (NOT this page).*

And leave a comment below (on this page) to let me know how you feel about the tampon tax (or equivalent) issue in your country.

I had hoped that researching this topic and pulling it together into an ‘informed conversation’ would help me decide if we should remove the standard 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on sanitary pads, tampons and other menstrual products in Australia. However, I’m still not sure.

(Some countries have committed to removing VAT, sales and other taxes on these products. There are also initiatives in some US schools and other public places to provide them free of charge.)

Do you think that femcare products should be taxed like soap, toilet paper and other goods or do they warrant special treatment as health items (like condoms and incontinence pads)?
Or perhaps they should simply be GST-free as a symbolic gesture in support of people who menstruate?

* FB ‘Likes’ count towards judging. Twenty stories will be published in an anthology, sales of which will help to support Tasmanian Devils.

Thank you to everyone who voted for my Twisted Tax Tale. I was surprised to learn that so many of my friends are conscientious Facebook objectors. Despite this, I’m delighted to report that my tampon tax short story has been selected for publication based on merit.

The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Appeal will receive all proceeds from sales of the book when it is released.